Sleeping compartment for a recreational vehicle

ABSTRACT

A sleeping compartment for a recreational vehicle, which has a cabin with a ceiling, a rear wall, two doors, seats, a windshield, and an expandable habitation unit located behind the rear wall. The sleeping compartment includes a roof, which is sized and shaped to cover the expandable habitation unit and the cabin, the roof having a front roof portion and a rear roof portion. The roof is actuatable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. A sleeping berth is separate from and independent to the expandable habitation unit. The sleeping berth has a sleeping surface located on top of the ceiling. The front roof portion is moveably connected to the cabin above the windshield and the doors to permit movement of the roof between the open and closed configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present relates to recreational vehicles having temporary habitationunits, and more particularly to an expandable temporary habitation unitwith an enlarged usable living area having a separate sleepingcompartment.

BACKGROUND

Recreational vehicles (RVs) including motor homes, travel trailers andcaravans are now commonplace. They provide families with an opportunityto drive to locations of interest and have immediate access to livingquarters upon arrival. The flexibility provided by such temporary livingspaces are such that the users do not pay hotel fees, they are close tonature, and leave little in way of carbon footprint. While thisseemingly simple way of living has many advantages, RVs and caravanshave a number of significant drawbacks, which can hamper the fullenjoyment of their use. The most common problem is providing a livingspace that is both functional and sufficiently large so that the usersdo not feel cramped whilst inside.

To address these problems, a number of RVs have been designed, whichprovide extensible slide-out units for increasing the vehicle's livingspace. This slide-out unit may be extended for use when the vehicle isparked and is retracted in a telescoping manner when the vehicle is tobe moved. Examples of such designs are given below.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,834 for “Multiple slide-out room for a recreationalvehicle” to Cadena et al on Sep. 28, 2010 discloses multiple slide-outsystem for a recreational vehicle or the like includes a first slide-outsection having a first floor, a first carriage abutting and affixed tothe first floor, a first driven track affixed to the underside of thefirst carriage, and a first drive motor anchored to the floor of thevehicle to drive the first slide-out section relative to the vehicle. Asecond slide-out section which slides within the first slide-out sectionincludes a second floor, a second carriage abutting and affixed to thesecond floor, a second driven track affixed to the underside of thesecond carriage, and a second drive motor anchored to top side of thefirst carriage to drive the second slide-out section relative to thefirst slide-out section. The driven tracks do not extend underneath theportions of the slide-out section floors that will be visible from theoutside of the vehicle when the system is in its extended position,thereby presenting a clean and generally smooth appearance when viewedfrom the outside.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,116 for “Recreational vehicle full wall slide-out”to Jones on Jun. 5, 2007 discloses a mobile recreational vehicle, whichincludes a body enclosing a living area designed to serve asself-contained living quarters during recreational travel. The body issupported on at least one pair of wheels (and often two or more pairs).The vehicle includes a ceiling assembly, a floor assembly; and anelongated and adjustable ceiling support extending between the ceilingassembly and the floor assembly wherein the height of the support can beadjusted during installation. In some instances, the vehicle has ashortened full length slide-out to allow for additional sidewall ceilingsupport, and in some instances has a slide-out opening that has camberedupper edges to minimize sagging the opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,324 for “Adjustable slide-out room for mobile livingquarters” to McManus et el on Mar. 4, 2003 discloses a recreationalvehicle, which includes structure defining side walls of a main livingunit mounted on a frame and a slide-out room which extends and retractsthrough an aperture in one of the side walls. Adjustments are providedto adjust the angular orientation of the slide-out room without respectto the sidewall of the main living unit, to adjust the vertical positionof the slide-out room in the extended position and to adjust the tilt ofthe slide-out room. Further adjustments are also provided to adjust theposition of the back wall of the slide-out room in the retractedposition to assure that trim and decals applied to the side wall of theunit and extending over the back wall of the slide-out room are properlyaligned.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,933 for “Flat floor slide out apparatus forexpandable rooms” to Miller et al on Feb. 20, 1996 discloses anexpandable room structure, which has relatively movable room portionssupported by telescopically sliding tubes, at least one of those tubesbeing movable also laterally to pivot as the room portion floors slideinto the same horizontal plane when the room structure is moving intoexpanded positions. In retracted positions the room portion floors arevertically spaced to permit one room portion to nest within the other. Arack and pinion drive arrangement is provided to cause relative movementbetween the tubes. Lateral movement of one of the tubes is permitted byengagement with an inclined surface extending out of the other tube suchthat the laterally moving tube pivots about the pinion. A ramp surfaceis formed on the abutting edge of the floor of one room portion, and theabutting edge of the floor of the other room portion moves up and downthat ramp portion when transitioning between expanded and retractedpositions. When moving to expanded positions, such movement down theramp occurs prior to pivoting of the sliding tube(s), such that end wallweather sealing is pivotally clamped without vertical sliding.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,180 for “Expandable enclosure” to Hussaini on Sep.28, 1993 discloses an expandable enclosure suitable for a cargo vehicle,a passer vehicle, a stationary shelter or a stationary storage facility.An expansion unit is outwardly translatable from the enclosure by racksfixed to the unit. The expansion unit has first uprights fixed betweenthe racks and second uprights fixed to the enclosure but having asliding connection with the racks. Third uprights are disposed betweenthe first and second uprights and are slidingly connected between theracks. The expansion unit may be mounted to the enclosure by the gearsalone or may additionally be supported by a cantilever beam when theexpansion unit is being deployed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,604 for “Caravan or campervan construction” to Humanon Sep. 16, 1980 discloses a transportable housing structure comprisinga cabin unit having access openings and a foldable/unfoldable annexattachment at the rear or trailing end and capable of forming acaravan-body or campervan-body or similar vehicular body is provided,the annex attachment being formed by a pair of rigid panel membershinged to the top and bottom of the cabin unit respectively for movementfrom a folded, relatively vertical, non-use position to an unfolded,relatively horizontal, in-use position; a flexible cover memberextending around the peripheries of the panel members top to bottom fromthe rear of the cabin unit; a pair of hinged posts at the outer cornersof the panel members to depend from the top panel member and support theunfolded top panel member on the unfolded bottom panel member; and apair of hinged legs to depend from the outer corners of the bottom panelmember and support the unfolded annex attachment on the ground.

Disadvantageously, some of the designs described above include anextension/retraction system that relies on screws or a pinion to providetelescoping movement of the slide-out unit relative to the vehicle. Ifscrews are used, they must be short for practical reasons because longerscrews deform so that the axis of the screw is not linear. If pinionsare used, they too must be short. Since the amplitude of movement of theslide-out room or compartment can be no greater than the length of thescrew or pinion, the amplitude of sliding movement, and hence the amountof additional space gained by the slide-out compartment, is limited.

Other types of slide-out units use an endless cable which passes over apair of pulleys which is supported by a main part of the mobile home andanother pair of pulleys mounted on sidewalls of an extension part of themobile home cause the extension part to reciprocate. Another slide-outinstallation shows an expanding unit, which includes a rotatable shaftand two types of cables wound around the shaft. Rotation of the shaft inone direction causes one type of cable to wind as the other typeunwinds, causing a second module to reciprocate in one directionrelative to first module. Rotation of the shaft in the oppositedirection causes the second module to move in the opposite direction.

A major problem that hampers the use of slide-out units is that ofcantilevering as the unit extends. The outer end of the extendedslide-out unit tends to tip downwardly, which places weight on theslide-out unit's operating mechanism. The cantilevered slide-out unitalso tends to cause looseness at the top, which in turn causes tightnessat the bottom. This puts weight on the slide-out mechanism, which inimpairs slidability and causes leakage around the joints.

Another problem with slide-out units is that they require significantmodification of the vehicle's sub frame. This makes designs of this typeprohibitively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the complexity ofthe above designs makes their maintenance difficult

Thus, there is a need for an improved temporary habitation unit, whichprovides a larger living space.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Generally speaking, a Recreational Vehicle (RV) provides comfortablesleeping areas for three to four people, depending on the size of theRV. I have now designed a novel and unobvious expandable habitation unitfor use with an RV in which I have converted the unused space above thedriver's cabin into a sleeping berth. To achieve this, I have designed aroof in which the front part of the roof sidewall flares out so as to beflush with the driver's windshield to preserve the aerodynamic qualitiesof the RV when the roof is in the closed configuration. I have includedan accordion-like seal at the junction between the front sidewall andthe top of the cabin above the windshield and doors. When the roof ismoved upwardly, the seal expands to allow a person to then have accessto the sleeping berth. In addition to this, I have also designed atemporary, expandable living unit that substantially reduces, oressentially eliminates, the problems described above in the previousdesigns. My unit addresses the problems by using a novel and non-obviousframe piston and guide arrangement, which when in operation provide auser with a living space that is substantially larger than thosedescribed above because a roof, a rear module and two side modules areall fully deployed so that their individual habitation area and volumesare used in their totality. In other words, the entire exterior shell ofthe habitation unit is deployed to create additional living space. Thepiston, guide and frame arrangement allows the floors of individualliving modules to slide over the main floor, and when locked in place,address the problems of cantilevering which plagued many of the knowndesigns. Advantageously, my unit can be retrofitted onto an existingvehicle subframe or it can be used as a stand-alone unit that can behitched to the back of another vehicle.

Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a sleeping compartment fora recreational vehicle having a cabin with a ceiling, a rear wall, twodoors, seats, a windshield, and an expandable habitation unit locatedbehind the rear wall, the sleeping compartment comprising:

a roof sized and shaped to cover the expandable habitation unit and thecabin, the roof having a front roof portion and a rear roof portion, theroof being actuatable between a closed configuration and an openconfiguration; and

a sleeping berth separate from and independent to the expandablehabitation unit, the sleeping berth having a sleeping surface located ontop of the ceiling, the front roof portion being moveably connected tothe cabin above the windshield and the doors to permit movement of theroof between the open and closed configuration.

In one example, the front roof portion is sealingly connected to thecabin. An expandable connector is sealingly connected to the cabin. Theexpandable connector is an accordion-like connector. In the openconfiguration the accordion-like connector is disposed generallyorthogonal to the sleeping surface.

In one example, in the open configuration an access opening is locatedrearwardly of the sleeping berth, the access opening being sized topermit a user to move into and out of the sleeping berth, the accessopening separates the expandable habitation unit from the sleepingberth.

In one example, in which in the closed configuration, the front roofportion is disposed coplanar with the windshield to create anaerodynamic surface.

In another example, the habitation unit includes two side modules, arear module, and a main frame, the side modules and the roof modulebeing moveable and overlapping along respective restrictive paths oftravel; the roof being connected to the main frame to permit movementalong a roof restricted path of travel such that in the closedconfiguration, the roof, the modules and the sleeping berth define afirst habitation volume, the roof being moveable along the roofrestricted path of travel orthogonally relative to the respectiverestricted paths of travel of the overlapping modules so as to vary thesize of the first habitation volume.

In another example, the main frame, the rear module, the first sidemodule, the second side module and the roof are each interconnected toat least two actuators such that in response to a first user command,the actuators moves the modules and the roof away from each other alongthe respective restricted paths of travel from a default closedhabitation configuration to a first open configuration. The main frame,the rear module, the first side module, the second side module and theroof are each interconnected to at least two actuators such that inresponse to a second user command, the actuators moves the modules andthe roof away from each other along the respective restricted paths oftravel from the first open configuration to the default closedconfiguration.

In one example, the main frame is a cuboid frame. The cuboid frameincludes: a front frame portion having mounted thereon two loweractuators and two upper actuators, the two upper actuators beingdisposed generally orthogonal to the two lower actuators; and a rearframe portion having mounted thereon two lower actuators and two upperactuators, the two upper actuators being disposed orthogonal to the twolower actuators. The two front and rear lower actuators are connected tothe first and second side modules. The front roof portion is angled awayfrom the two upper actuators. The actuators are hydraulic pistons.

Accordingly, in another aspect there is provided a recreational vehiclehaving a cabin with a ceiling, a rear wall, two doors, seats, and awindshield, the recreational vehicle comprising:

a main frame mounted on a vehicle subframe;

a main floor;

an expandable habitation unit having two side modules, and a rearmodule, each module overlapping and in communication with the main floorto permit movement thereover along respective restricted paths oftravel;

a roof sized and shaped to cover the expandable habitation unit and thecabin, the roof having a front roof portion and a rear roof portion, theroof being actuatable between a closed configuration and an openconfiguration; and

a sleeping berth separate from and independent to the expandablehabitation unit, the sleeping berth having a sleeping surface located ontop of the ceiling, the front roof portion being moveably connected tothe cabin above windshield and the doors to permit movement of the roofbetween the open and closed configuration.

In one example, the front roof portion is sealingly connected to thecabin above the windshield and the doors.

In one example, an expandable connector is sealingly connected to thecabin above the windshield and the doors. The expandable connector is anaccordion-like connector.

In another example, in the open configuration the accordion-likeconnector is disposed generally orthogonal to the sleeping surface.

Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided an expandable habitationunit comprising:

a main frame;

a main floor having an exposed habitation area;

a rear module having a rear module floor located over a rear portion ofthe main floor, the rear module floor being connected to the main frameto permit movement along a first restricted path of travel over the rearportion of the main floor;

a first side module having a first side module floor located over afirst side portion of the main floor, the first side module floor beingconnected to the main frame to permit movement along a second restrictedpath of travel over the first side portion of the main floor; and

a second side module having a second side module floor located over asecond side portion of the main floor, the second side module floorbeing connected to the main frame to permit movement along a thirdrestricted path of travel over the second side portion of the mainfloor,

the rear module, the first side module and the second side module beingmoveable and overlapping along their respective restricted paths oftravel so as to vary the size of the exposed habitation area.

In one example, the unit further includes: a roof connected to the mainframe to permit movement along a fourth restricted path of travel, theroof being sized and shaped to cover and overlap the rear module, thefirst side module, the second side module and the main floor; the roof,the rear module, the first side module and the second side moduledefining a habitation volume; the roof being moveable along the fourthrestricted path of travel orthogonally relative to the respectiverestricted paths of travel of the rear module, the first side module andthe second side module so as to vary the size of the habitation volume.In a default closed configuration, the roof, the rear module, the firstside module and the second side module overlap each other being locatedtowards each other and define a first habitation volume. In a first openconfiguration, the roof, the rear module, the first side module and thesecond side module are located away from each other and define a secondhabitation volume, the second habitation volume being larger than thefirst habitation volume, and almost doubled in volume.

In another example, the rear module includes: a rear module lower framesupported on two rear module guide rails located below the main floorlevel, the rear module being guided by the two rear module guide railsalong the first restricted path of travel, the rear module lower framebeing in communication with two rear module actuators for pushing therear module lower frame relative to the first and second side modules.The rear module further includes a stepped rear module roof.

In another example, the first side module includes a first side modulelower frame supported on two guide rails located below the main floorlevel, the first side module being guided by the two guide rails alongthe second restricted path of travel; and the second side moduleincludes a second side module lower frame supported on two guide railslocated below the main floor level, the second side module being guidedby the two guide rails along the third restricted path of travel, eachof the first and second side module lower frames being in communicationwith two side module actuators for pushing the first and second sidemodules relative to each other. The first side module further includes afirst side module stepped roof, and the second side module furtherincludes a second side module stepped roof.

In another example, the roof is in communication with four roofactuators for pushing the roof along the fourth restricted path oftravel relative to the rear module, the first side module and the secondside module.

In yet another example, the roof includes a peripheral sidewall whichdepends downwardly therefrom and overlaps the rear module, the first andsecond side modules.

In one example, the unit includes: a roof having a peripheral sidewallwhich depends downwardly therefrom; a rear module having a rear moduleroof with first and second steps; a first side module having a firstside module roof with first and second side module steps; a second sidemodule having a second side module roof with third and fourth sidemodule steps, the roof, the rear module, the first side module and thesecond side module being located such that in a default closedconfiguration, the peripheral sidewall of the roof sealingly abuts thefirst step of the rear module, the first step of the first side moduleand the third step of the second side module, and sealingly abuts afront portion of the main frame. In a first open configuration theperipheral sidewall of the roof sealingly abuts the second step of therear module, the second step of the first side module and the fourthstep of the second side module, and sealingly abuts the front portion ofthe main frame. An actuatable retractable locking pin locks the roof tothe rear module, the first side module and the second side module ineither the open configuration or the default configuration.

In another example, a plurality of rollers are located between the rearmodule floor, the first side module floor and the second side modulefloor and the main floor to permit movement therealong.

In another example, a plurality of gaskets seal the peripheral sidewallto the rear module, the first side module and the second side module.

In one example the main frame, the rear module, the first side module,the second side module and the roof are each interconnected to at leasttwo actuators such that in response to a first user command, theactuators moves the modules and the roof away from each other along therespective restricted paths of travel from a default closed habitationconfiguration to a first open configuration.

In another example, the main frame, the rear module, the first sidemodule, the second side module and the roof are each interconnected toat least two actuators such that in response to a second user command,the actuators moves the modules and the roof away from each other alongthe respective restricted paths of travel from the first openconfiguration to a second open configuration.

In one example, the main frame is a cuboid frame. The cuboid frameincludes: a front frame portion having mounted thereon two loweractuators and two upper actuators, the two upper actuators beingdisposed orthogonal to the two lower actuators; and a rear portion frameportion having mounted thereon two lower actuators and two upperactuators, the two upper actuators being disposed orthogonal to the twolower actuators. The two front and rear lower actuators are connected tothe first and second side modules.

In one example, the unit is free-standing.

In another example, the unit is mounted on a vehicle.

Accordingly, in another aspect there is provided a recreational vehiclecomprising:

a main frame mounted on a vehicle subframe;

a main floor;

a rear module having a rear module floor located over a rear portion ofthe main floor, the rear module floor being connected to the main frameto permit movement along a first restricted path of travel over the rearportion of the main floor;

a first side module having a first side module floor located over afirst side portion of the main floor, the first side module floor beingconnected to the main frame to permit movement along a second restrictedpath of travel over the first side portion of the main floor;

a second side module having a second side module floor located over asecond side portion of the main floor, the second side module floorbeing connected to the main frame to permit movement along a thirdrestricted path of travel over the second side portion of the mainfloor;

a roof connected to the main frame to permit movement along a fourthrestricted path of travel, the roof being sized and shaped to cover andoverlap the rear module, the first side module, the second side moduleand the main floor, the roof, the rear module, the first side module andthe second side module defining a habitation volume,

the roof, the rear module, the first side module and the second sidemodule being moveable along their respective restricted paths of travelso as to vary the size of the habitation volume.

In one example, the main frame, the rear module, the first side module,the second side module and the roof are each interconnected to at leasttwo actuators such that in response to a first user command, theactuators move the modules and the roof away from each other along therespective restricted paths of travel from a default overlapped closedhabitation configuration to a first open configuration. The main frame,the rear module, the first side module, the second side module and theroof are each interconnected to at least two actuators such that inresponse to a second user command, the actuators moves the modules andthe roof towards each other along the respective restricted paths oftravel from the first open configuration to the default overlappedclosed configuration.

Accordingly, in another aspect, there is provided a stand-aloneexpandable habitation unit comprising:

a main frame mounted on a subframe;

a main floor;

a sidewall connected to the main frame;

a rear module having a rear module floor located over a rear portion ofthe main floor, the rear module floor being connected to the main frameto permit movement along a first restricted path of travel over the rearportion of the main floor;

a first side module having a first side module floor located over afirst side portion of the main floor, the first side module floor beingconnected to the main frame to permit movement along a second restrictedpath of travel over the first side portion of the main floor;

a second side module having a second side module floor located over asecond side portion of the main floor, the second side module floorbeing connected to the main frame to permit movement along a thirdrestricted path of travel over the second side portion of the mainfloor;

a front module having a front module floor located over a front portionof the main floor, the front module being connected to the main frame topermit movement along a fourth restricted path of travel over the frontportion of the main floor;

a roof connected to the main frame to permit movement along a fifthrestricted path of travel, the roof being sized and shaped to cover andoverlap the rear module, the first side module, the second side module,the front module, the main floor and the sidewall, the roof, the rearmodule, the first side module, the second side module, the front moduleand the sidewall defining a habitation volume,

the roof, the rear module, the front module, the first side module andthe second side module being moveable along their respective restrictedpaths of travel so as to vary the size of the habitation volume.

In one example, the main frame, the rear module, the first side module,the second side module, the front module, the roof and the sidewall areeach interconnected to at least two actuators such that in response to afirst user command, the actuators move the modules and the roof awayfrom each other along the respective restricted paths of travel from adefault overlapped closed habitation configuration to a first openconfiguration. The main frame, the rear module, the first side module,the second side module, the front module, the roof and the sidewall areeach interconnected to at least two actuators such that in response to asecond user command, the actuators moves the modules and the rooftowards each other along the respective restricted paths of travel fromthe first open configuration to the default overlapped closedconfiguration.

In one example, a hitch is connected to the subframe to permitconnection of the unit to a vehicle.

In another example, in any one of the above units, a stepped stabilizingmember extends upwardly from each of the stepped first and second sidemodule roofs. Each stepped stabilizing member abuttingly engages themain frame in the open configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of that described herein will become moreapparent from the following description in which reference is made tothe appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 are perspective views of a recreational vehicle with anexpandable habitation unit in which FIG. 1A is a front perspective viewof the vehicle in a closed default configuration; FIG. 1B is a frontperspective view of the vehicle in an open configuration showing a roofand a side module deployed; and FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view ofthe vehicle in an open configuration showing a roof, a side module and arear module deployed;

FIG. 2 is a left hand side view of a recreational vehicle with anexpandable habitation unit in a closed configuration (upper drawing),and the expandable habitation unit showing a roof and a rear module inan open configuration (lower drawing);

FIG. 3 is a front view of a recreational vehicle with an expandablehabitation unit in a closed configuration (left hand drawing), and in anopen configuration (right hand drawing);

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a recreational vehicle with an expandablehabitation unit in a closed configuration (left hand drawing), and in anopen configuration (right hand drawing);

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of a main frame of the habitation unit;

FIG. 6 is a detailed plan view of a habitation unit in a closedconfiguration with an arrow pointing to a view shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 7 is a detailed plan view of the habitation unit of FIG. 6 is afirst open (day) configuration and with arrows pointing to views shownin FIG. 14 and FIG. 15;

FIG. 8 is a detailed plan view of the habitation unit of FIG. 6 in asecond open (night) configuration;

FIG. 9 is a cut away detailed side view of a habitation unit in a closedconfiguration showing the location of a plurality of actuators and withan arrow pointing to a view shown in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 10 is a cut away detailed side view of the habitation unit of FIG.9 in an open configuration showing the actuators fully extended and withan arrow pointing to a view shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 11 is a rear cut away detailed view of a habitation unit in whichFIG. 11A (left hand side) illustrates the unit in a closed configurationwith arrows pointing to views shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 13, and FIG.11B (right hand side) illustrates the unit in an open configuration witharrows pointing to views shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 13;

FIG. 12 are detailed longitudinal cross sectional views of an actuatablelocking pin in which FIG. 12A (upper drawing) shows the pin used in aclosed configuration and FIG. 12B (lower drawing) shows the pin used inan open configuration;

FIG. 13 is a detailed longitudinal cross sectional view of a side modulefloor a main frame showing the location of two rollers;

FIG. 14 is a detailed longitudinal cross sectional view of a rear moduleand a side module showing the location of gaskets;

FIG. 15 is a detailed longitudinal cross sectional view of a side moduleshowing movement between a closed configuration (FIG. 15A; top drawing)and an open configuration (FIG. 15B; bottom drawing);

FIG. 16 is a side view of a stand alone habitation unit in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 17 is a detailed plan view of the stand alone habitation unit ofFIG. 16 in an open configuration;

FIG. 18 is a detailed plan view of the stand alone habitation unit ofFIG. 16 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 19A through FIG. 19D is a diagrammatic representation of an openingsequence of the habitation unit in which FIG. 19A is a perspective viewof the unit showing the roof opening in the direction of the arrows;FIG. 19B is a perspective view of the unit showing the rear moduleopening in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 19C is a perspective viewof the unit showing the two side modules opening in the direction of thearrows; and FIG. 19D is a perspective view of the unit showing the roofmoving down to lock the unit in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 20 is a rear cut away detailed view of a habitation unit showing astepped stabilizing member in which FIG. 20A (left hand side)illustrates the unit in a closed configuration with arrows pointing toviews shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 13, and FIG. 20B (right hand side)illustrates the unit in an open configuration with arrows pointing toviews shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 13 showing the location of the steppedstabilizing member;

FIG. 21 are perspective views of a recreational vehicle with anexpandable habitation unit in which FIG. 21A is a front perspective viewof the vehicle in a closed default configuration showing a collapsedaccordion-like connector; FIG. 21B is a front perspective view of thevehicle in an open configuration showing a roof and a side moduledeployed and showing the accordion-like connector fully extended; andFIG. 21C is a rear perspective view of the vehicle in an openconfiguration showing a roof, a side module and a rear module deployed;

FIG. 22 is a cut away detailed side view of a habitation unit with afront sleeping compartment in a closed configuration showing thelocation of a plurality of actuators and with an arrow pointing to aview shown in FIG. 12B; and

FIG. 23 is a cut away detailed side view of the habitation unit of FIG.22 in an open configuration showing the actuators fully extended andwith an arrow pointing to a view shown in FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the listof elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatorybut that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.

As used herein, the term “consisting of” is intended to mean includingand limited to whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, thephrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are requiredor mandatory and that no other elements may be present.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is illustrated a recreationalvehicle (RV) 10 with an expandable habitation unit 12 extendingrearwardly from an RV cabin 14. The cabin 14 includes a rearwardlyfacing wall 16 and a control panel (not shown), which is located insidethe cabin 14. The control panel permits a user to operate closing andopening of the habitation unit 12 various overlapping modules. Broadlyspeaking, the habitation unit 12 comprises a rear module 18, a firstside module 20, a second side module 22, a roof 24, a unit sidewall 26and a main frame 28. In the example illustrated, the rear module 18 istypically a kitchen unit with a sink, cupboards and the like. The firstside module 20 is typically a dining unit with an attachedbathroom/shower facility. The second side module 22 is a living unitwith food storage units. The rear module 18 includes a curved outer wall30, whereas the first and second side modules 20, 22 have respectivelyfirst and second planar outer walls 32, 34. In a default configuration,the rear module 18, the first side module 20, the second side module 22and the roof 24 of the habitation unit 12 are locked together with theroof 24 overlapping the modules 18, 20, 22 and provide the RV 10 with astreamline, aerodynamically favorable profile, which reduces gasconsumption compared to conventional RVs. In the default configuration,the walls 30, 32, 34, and the roof 24 are coplanar to the cabin 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the main frame 28 is typically cuboid andincludes two front, upstanding bars 36, 38, two rear upstanding bars 40,42, two upper bars 44, 46 and two lower bars 48, 50. The two rearupstanding bars 40, 42 includes two lower, rearwardly disposed frameextensions 52, 54 to which the rear module 18 is connected. The mainframe 28 also includes two arched wheel portions 56, 58 for locationadjacent first and second wheels 60, 62. Two front, lower frameextensions 64, 66 anchor the main frame 28 to the cabin 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, a first two spaced apart rearmodule actuators 64, 66 are connected to the main frame extensions 52,54 and are disposed generally parallel to the ground. Two spaced apartroof actuators 68, 70 are connected to the two rear upstanding bars 40,42. The two roof actuators 68, 70 are disposed generally orthogonal tothe first two rear actuators 64, 66. Another two spaced apart roofactuators 72, 74 are connected to the two front, upstanding bars 36, 38.The two roof actuators 72, 74 are disposed generally parallel to the tworoof actuators 68, 70, and are generally orthogonal to the first tworear actuators 64, 66. Two spaced apart side module actuators 76, 78 areconnected to the lower bar 48 and another two spaced apart side moduleactuators 80, 82 are connected to the lower bar 50. The side moduleactuators 76, 78, 80, 82 are disposed generally orthogonal to theactuators 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74. In the examples illustrated, theactuators 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 are, withoutlimitation, hydraulic pistons which are operably connected to thecontrol panel so that they can received commands therefrom. A personskilled in the art will recognize that different types of actuators canbe used, for example, worm gears, sprocket and gear and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a main rigid floor 84 is mounted onthe main frame 28 and has an exposed habitation (living) area 86. In thedefault configuration, the habitation area 86 is generally elongate andextends from the unit sidewall 26, which is located adjacent the rearwall 16 of the cabin 14, to the rear module 18. In the exampleillustrated, a door 88 and an adjacent threshold area 90 permits accessto the unit 12 from outside the RV 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 11, the rear module 18 includes a rearmodule floor 92, which is located over a rear portion 94 of the mainfloor 84. The rear module floor 92 is connected to the main frame 28 topermit movement along a first restricted path of travel over the rearportion 94 of the main floor 84 in an overlapping manner. The rearmodule 18 also includes a rear module lower frame 96, which is part ofthe main frame 28 supported on two rear module guide rails 98, 100located below the main floor 84 level. The rear module 14 is guided bythe two rear module guide rails 98, 100 along the first restricted pathof travel by the rear module actuators 64, 66. The rear module lowerframe 96 is in communication with two rear module actuators 64, 66 topush and pull the rear module lower frame 96 relative to the first andsecond side modules 20, 22. The rear module 18 includes a stepped rearmodule roof 102 which has first and second steps 104, 106.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 through 11, the first side module 20 includesa first side module floor 108, which is located over a first sideportion 110 of the main floor 84 in an overlapping manner. The firstside module floor 108 is connected to the main frame 28 to permitmovement along a second restricted path of travel over the first sideportion 110 of the main floor 84. The first side module 20 also includesa first side module lower frame 112 supported on two first side moduleguide rails 114, 116 located below the main floor 84 level. The firstside module 20 is guided by the two first side module guide rails 114,116 along the second restricted path of travel by the first side moduleactuators 76, 78. The first side module lower frame 112 is incommunication with the first side module actuators 76, 78 to push andpull the first side module lower frame 112 relative to the rear module18 and second side module 22. The first side module 20 includes astepped first side module roof 118 which has first and second steps 120,122.

Referring still to FIGS. 6 through 11, the second side module 22includes a second side module floor 124, which is located over a secondside portion 126 of the main floor 84 in an overlapping manner. Thesecond side module floor 124 is connected to the main frame 28 to permitmovement along a third restricted path of travel over the second sideportion 126 of the main floor 84. The second side module 22 alsoincludes a second side module lower frame 128 supported on two secondside module guide rails 130, 132 located below the main floor 84 level.The second side module 22 is guided by the two second side module guiderails 130, 132 along the third restricted path of travel by the secondside module actuators 80, 82. The second side module lower frame 128 isin communication with the second side module actuators 80, 82 to pushand pull the second side module lower frame 128 relative to the rearmodule 18 and first side module 20. The second side module 22 includes astepped second side module roof 134 which has first and second steps136, 138.

The rear module 18, the first side module 20 and the second side module22 are interconnected with the actuators 64, 66, 76, 78, 80, 82 so thatthey can move along their respective restricted paths of travel to varythe size of the exposed habitation area 86. The size of the exposedhabitation area 86 depends on whether the unit 12 is in the overlappedclosed default configuration or in the open configuration. Compared tothe habitation areas and volumes of currently available RV designs, thehabitation unit 12 described herein advantageously provides a habitationarea and volume that is substantially larger. For example, in theoverlapped closed default configuration the volume is typically about15.9 cubic meters while the open configuration, the volume increases toabout 28.7 cubic meters. For the habitation unit only, this representsan increase of about 85%, which is significant. Furthermore, the lowerframes of the side modules and the rear module substantially reduces, oressentially eliminates cantilevering and therefore provides living areasthat are very stable and less prone to leakage.

As an alternative to the guide rails 98, 100, 114, 116, 130, 132, aplurality of rollers 148, as best illustrated in FIG. 13, are locatedbetween, in the example shown, the first side module floor 108 and themain floor 84 to permit rolling movement of the side module floor 108over the main floor 84. Although not shown, a similar roller system islocated between the main floor 84 and the other module floors, i.e.rollers 148 are located between the rear module floor 92, the secondside module floor 124 and the main floor 84 to permit rolling movementof the module floors over the main floor. Thus, the module floors 92,108, 124 overlap the main floor 84 when the habitation unit 10 is in theclosed configuration, and move over the main floor 84 to achieve theopen configuration. The roof 24 overlaps the modules 18, 20, 22 in theopen configuration and also overlaps the modules 18, 20, 22 in theclosed configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, the roof 24 is connected to themain frame 28 to permit movement along a fourth restricted path oftravel. The roof 24 is sized and shaped to cover and overlap the rearmodule 18, the first side module 20, the second side module 22 and themain floor 84. In the example illustrated, the roof 24 is generallydome-shaped such that in the default configuration, the roof 24 iscoplanar with the RV cabin 14. It is desirable to have the habitationunit 12 with a habitation volume that is sufficiently large to permit anenjoyable, non-cramped environment in which to, for example, cook,sleep, eat and bathe. To this end, the habitation volume of thehabitation unit 12 is defined by how far apart the roof 24, the rearmodule 18, the first side module 20 and the second side module 22 aredisplaced. The novel and unobvious design of the habitation unit 12permits the user to vary the size of the habitation volume from theoverlapped closed default configuration to the first open configuration.Typically, the first open configuration is for use during the day in astationary position, where maximum available space is required. As bestillustrated in FIG. 8, a second open configuration of the habitationunit 12 is typically for use during the night when the first and secondside module can be converted into sleeping areas using pull-out beds.

Still referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, the roof 24 is moveable alongthe fourth restricted path of travel generally orthogonally relative tothe respective restricted paths of travel of the rear module 18, thefirst side module 20 and the second side module 22 so as to vary thesize of the habitation volume. In the default overlapped closedconfiguration, the roof 20, the rear module 18, the first side module 20and the second side module 22 are located towards each other and definea first habitation volume. In the first open configuration, the roof 20,the rear module 18, the first side module 20 and the second side module22 are located away from each other and define a second habitationvolume. The second habitation volume is almost double the firsthabitation volume.

The roof 24 is in communication with the four roof actuators 68, 70, 72,and 74 which push it along the fourth restricted path of travel relativeto the rear module 18, the first side module 20 and the second sidemodule 22. The roof 20 includes a peripheral sidewall 140 which dependsdownwardly therefrom. Although the roof 20 is illustrated asdome-shaped, a person skilled in the art will recognize that other roofshapes are possible.

As best seen in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, in a closed configuration, theperipheral sidewall 140 of the roof 24 sealingly abuts the second step106 of the rear module 18, the second step 122 of the first side module20 and the second step 136 of the second side module 22, and sealinglyabuts against the rearwardly facing wall 16 of the cabin 14. In thefirst open configuration, the roof 20 is actuated into a configurationin which the peripheral sidewall 140 sealingly abuts the first step 104of the rear module 18, the first step 120 of the first side module 20and the first step 136 of the second side module 22, and sealingly abutsagainst the rearwardly facing wall 16 of the cabin 14.

Still referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of silicone gaskets142 temporarily seal the peripheral sidewall 140 to the first steps 104,120, 136 and the second steps 106, 122, 138 of the rear module 18, thefirst side module 20 and the second side module 22. The gaskets 142provide both air tight and watertight seals. An actuatable retractablelocking pin 144 locks the roof 20 to the rear module 18, the first sidemodule 20 and the second side module 22 in both the closed configurationand the first open configuration. The locking pin 144 is connected to amotor 146, which is operably connected to the control panel.

The module walls are typically made 1″ polyurethane insulation, which issandwiched between two layers of smooth coated fiberglass and secured atthe edges with extruded aluminum profiles. Also, molded plastic wallscan be used provided they are sufficiently insulated.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, there is illustrated detaileddiagrammatic representations of the main frame 28 in relation to theside modules 18, 20 and 22 and the location of the gaskets 142. In FIG.15, the first and second side modules 20, 22 are shown in the open andclosed overlapping configuration relative to the main frame 28, and theroof 24 shown in the open and closed overlapping configuration relativeto the main frame 28. Furthermore, in FIG. 15, a dual gasket system 142and 142A permits water drainage and reduced water penetration.

As illustrated above, the habitation unit 12 is designed for use withthe RV 10. Referring now to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, for users who merelywish to attach a habitation unit to an existing vehicle an alternative,free-standing habitation unit is illustrated generally at 200. Thefree-standing unit 200 can be hitched to a vehicle using a hitchextension 202 of a main frame 204. The habitation unit 200 isessentially identical to the habitation unit 12 described above, but nowincludes a front module 205. The salient differences between the twounits will now be described. The hitch extension 202 extends away fromthe main frame 204 and is generally triangular. A central stabilizingconnecting shaft 206 is connected to a front cross bar 208 of the mainframe 204. Unlike the rearwardly facing wall 16 of the cabin 14, theunit 200 includes a front outer wall 210, which includes two curvedcorners 212, 214. This outer wall 210 provides an additional habitationarea 216 over the hitch extension 202. The habitation unit 200 isoperated using a remote control panel (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 20A and 20B, as an additional stabilizingmodification, each of the side modules 20, 22 includes a steppedstabilizing member 300, 302, which are extensions of the stepped firstand second side module roof 118, 134. The stepped stabilizing members300, 302 run substantially the entire length of each side module 20, 22.As best illustrated in FIG. 20B, in the open configuration, the steppedstabilizing members 300, 302 are disposed generally orthogonal to theground, to abuttingly engage the main frame 28. The peripheral sidewall140 of the roof 24 rests on the stepped first side module roof 118, andthe stepped second side module roof 134. This provides lateral stabilityto the side modules 20, 22, and significantly reduces, or essentiallyeliminates, outward rotation of the side modules 20, 22. In the closedconfiguration, as best illustrated in FIG. 20A, the stepped stabilizingmembers 300, 302 are in the default position.

Additional Sleeping Berth

Turning now to the problem of sleeping room for passengers. For the RV10, as illustrated throughout, the side modules 20, 22 typically providecomfortable sleeping room for about three to four adults, depending ontheir size. Referring now to FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B, FIG. 21C, FIG. 22 andFIG. 23, to take full advantage of every available space, I have nowdesigned a sleeping compartment 400 by modifying the area above a cabin402 of the RV 10. The RV 10 includes the cabin 402 with a ceiling 404, arear wall 406, two doors 408, seats 410, a windshield 412, and theexpandable habitation unit 12 located behind the rear wall 406.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 22 and 23, a roof 414 is sized andshaped to cover both the expandable habitation unit 12 and the cabin402. As with the roof 20, described above, the roof 414 includes aperipheral sidewall 140, which depends downwardly therefrom. Theperipheral sidewall 140 of the roof 414 includes a front roof portion416 and a rear roof portion 418. The roof 414 is actuatable between aclosed configuration and an open configuration. When the roof 414 isfully extended to achieve the open configuration, the sleepingcompartment 400 is sufficiently large to accommodate another person. Thesleeping compartment 400 includes a sleeping berth 420, which isseparate from and independent to the expandable habitation unit 12. Thesleeping berth 420 has a sleeping surface 422 located on top of theceiling 404. The front roof portion 416 is moveably connected to thecabin 402 above the windshield 412 and the doors 406 to permit movementof the roof 414 between the open and closed configuration. The frontroof portion 416 is sealingly connected to the cabin 402 using anexpandable connector 424. In the example shown, the expandable connector424 is an accordion-like connector, which is typically made of rubber orsilicone. The expandable connector 424 can be any type of expandableconnector known to those skilled in the art. In the open configuration,the expandable connector 424 is disposed generally orthogonal to thesleeping surface 422. In the open configuration, an access opening 426is located rearwardly of the sleeping berth 420. The access opening 426is sized to permit a user to move into and out of the sleeping berth420. To maintain a level of privacy for the occupant, the access opening426 separates the expandable habitation unit 12 from the sleeping berth420.

Referring now to FIGS. 21A and 22, in the closed configuration, thefront roof portion 416 is disposed coplanar with the windshield 412 tocreate an aerodynamic surface so as to reduce drag on the RV when it ismoving.

Referring again to FIGS. 22 and 23, the spaced apart roof actuators 68,70, 72, 74 are essentially identical to those described in FIGS. 9, 10and 11 above. The two front actuators 72, 74 when extended fully in thisdesign are longer than the actuators described above, to account for theheight of the sleeping compartment 400, and to provide the sleepingcompartment with sufficient volume so that the occupant does not feelclaustrophobic. In the examples illustrated, the actuators 64, 66, 68,70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 are, without limitation, hydraulic pistonswhich are operably connected to the control panel so that they canreceived commands therefrom. A person skilled in the art will recognizethat different types of actuators can be used, for example, worm gears,sprocket and gear and the like.

The habitation unit 12 in this design is essentially identical to thatdescribed above, and as such will not be described in detail here otherthan to say that the two side modules 20, 22, the rear module 18, andthe roof 414 are moveable along respective restrictive paths of traveland that the roof 414 is connected to the main frame to permit movementalong a roof restricted path of travel such that in the closedconfiguration, the roof 414, the modules 18, 20, 22 and the sleepingberth 420 define a first habitation volume. The roof 414 is moveablealong the roof restricted path of travel orthogonally relative to therespective restricted paths of travel of the modules so as to vary thesize of the first habitation volume. In response to a first usercommand, the actuators move the modules and the roof away from eachother along the respective restricted paths of travel from a defaultoverlapped closed habitation configuration to a first openconfiguration. In response to a second user command, the actuators movesthe modules and the roof towards from each other along the respectiverestricted paths of travel from the first open configuration to theoverlapped default closed configuration.

Operation

Referring now to FIGS. 19A through 19D, there will now be described anoperation of the habitation unit 12. The operation of the alternativehabitation unit 200 is identical to that of the unit 12, and will not bedescribed. In the example illustrated, the control panel is located inthe cab 14. The controller can be an on-board computer, a remote controldevice operable using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™ and the like. In thefree-standing design 200, the controller can be a hand-held electronicdevice such as a smartphone, a tablet, and the like, which the user usesto control the habitation unit 12. For the stand alone design 200, thecentral control panel could be fixed to the hitch extension 202 orintegrated into one of the modules.

Broadly speaking, the main frame 28, the rear module 18, the first sidemodule 20, the second side module 22 and the roof 24 are eachinterconnected to at least two of the actuators described above suchthat in response to a first user command given at, for example thecontrol panel, the actuators moves the modules and the roof away fromeach other along their respective restricted paths of travel from theoverlapped default closed habitation configuration to a first openconfiguration. When desired, the controller issues a second user commandso that the main frame, the rear module, the first side module, thesecond side module and the roof are each interconnected to at least twoactuators such that in response to a second user command, the actuatorsmoves the modules and the roof towards each other along the respectiverestricted paths of travel from the open configuration to the overlappedclosed configuration.

Inside the driver's cabin, a central control panel controls the levelingand opening sequences of the vehicle. When the vehicle is moving, thehabitation unit 10 is in the overlapped default closed position with therear module, the roof, the first and second side modules closed andlocked. An interlock with the engine/transmission prevents the openingsequences when driving the vehicle.

Once stopped and parked, the vehicle is leveled with four jacks, one ineach corner. The leveling is carried out automatically from the controlpanel. The jacks are operated by actuators, which can be hydraulic ormechanical. The modules are then unlocked. The opening sequence is asfollows with reference to FIGS. 19A through 19D.

Firstly in FIG. 19A, the roof module 24 is opened to a maximum heightposition by the four actuators, one in each corner of the main frame inthe direction of the arrows shown.

Second in FIG. 19B, the rear kitchen module 18 is opened to maximumposition in the direction of the arrows. It is supported and guided bythe two guide rails below the floor level. The two actuators push thelower frame of the rear module outward. The floor of the module is alsosupported by rollers on the edge of the main rigid RV floor.

Third in FIG. 19C, the two dining/bath and living side modules (only theside module 22 is shown) open simultaneously outward to maximum positionin the direction of the arrows until the roof upright 302 stops at frame28. They are each supported and guided by the two guide rails below thefloor level. The two actuators per side module push the lower frame ofthe modules outward. The rollers 148 on the edge of the rigid RV flooralso support the floor of each side module.

Fourth in FIG. 19D, the roof 24 is lowered in the direction of thearrows to overlap and sealingly rest on the three lower module roofs.

Finally, the modules are then locked together to secure the unit andprevent movement between modules.

To close the RV and get ready for driving, the sequence is reversed.

Other Embodiments

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to theembodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeping compartment for a recreational vehiclehaving a cabin with a ceiling, two doors, seats, a windshield, and anexpandable habitation unit located behind the cabin, the sleepingcompartment comprising: a roof module sized and shaped to cover theexpandable habitation unit and the cabin, the roof module having a frontroof portion and a rear roof portion, the roof module being actuatablebetween a default closed configuration and an open configuration; and asleeping berth separate from and independent to the expandablehabitation unit, the sleeping berth having a sleeping surface located ontop of the ceiling, the front roof portion being moveably connected tothe driver's cabin above the windshield and the doors to permit movementof the roof module between the open and closed configuration; thehabitation unit includes two side modules, a rear module, and a mainframe, the side modules and the roof module being moveable alongrespective restrictive paths of travel; the roof module being connectedto the main frame to permit movement along a roof restricted path oftravel such that in the default closed configuration, the roof module,the rear and side modules and the sleeping berth define a firsthabitation volume in which the roof module overlaps the two side modulesand the rear module, the roof module being moveable along the roofrestricted path of travel orthogonally relative to the respectiverestricted paths of travel of the modules so as to vary the size of thefirst habitation volume.
 2. The sleeping compartment, according to claim1, in which the front roof portion is sealingly connected to the cabin.3. The sleeping compartment, according to claim 2, in which anexpandable connector is sealingly connected to the cabin.
 4. Thesleeping compartment, according to claim 3, in which the expandableconnector is an accordion-like connector.
 5. The sleeping compartment,according to claim 4, in which in the open configuration theaccordion-like connector is disposed generally orthogonal to thesleeping surface.
 6. The sleeping compartment, according to claim 1, inwhich in the open configuration an access opening is located rearwardlyof the sleeping berth, the access opening being sized to permit a userto move into and out of the sleeping berth, the access opening separatesthe expandable habitation unit from the sleeping berth.
 7. The sleepingcompartment, according to claim 1, in which in the default closedconfiguration, the front roof portion is disposed coplanar with thewindshield to create an aerodynamic surface.
 8. The sleepingcompartment, according to claim 1, in which the main frame, the rearmodule, the first side module, the second side module and the roof areeach interconnected to at least two actuators such that in response to afirst user command, the actuators moves the modules away from each otherin sequence along their respective restricted paths of travel from thedefault closed configuration to an open configuration.
 9. The sleepingcompartment, according to claim 8, in which the main frame, the rearmodule, the first side module, the second side module and the roofmodule are each interconnected to at least two actuators such that inresponse to a second user command, the actuators move the modulestowards each other in sequence along their respective restricted pathsof travel from the open configuration to the default closedconfiguration.
 10. The sleeping compartment, according to claim 1, inwhich the main frame is a cuboid frame.
 11. The sleeping compartment,according to claim 10, in which the cuboid frame includes: a front frameportion having mounted thereon two lower actuators and two upperactuators, the two upper actuators being disposed generally orthogonalto the two lower actuators; and a rear frame portion having mountedthereon two lower actuators and two upper actuators, the two upperactuators being disposed orthogonal to the two lower actuators.
 12. Thesleeping compartment, according to claim 11, in which the two front andrear lower actuators are connected to the first and second side modules.13. The sleeping compartment, according to claim 11, in which the frontroof portion is angled away from the two upper actuators.
 14. Thesleeping compartment, according to claim 11, in which the actuators arehydraulic pistons.
 15. A recreational vehicle having a cabin with aceiling, two doors, seats, and a windshield, the recreational vehiclecomprising: a main frame mounted on a vehicle subframe; a main floor; anexpandable habitation unit having two side modules, and a rear module,each module being in communication with the main floor to permitmovement thereover along respective restricted paths of travel; a roofmodule sized and shaped to cover and overlap the expandable habitationunit and the cabin, the roof module having a front roof portion and arear roof portion, the roof being actuatable between a default closedconfiguration and an open configuration; and a sleeping berth separatefrom and independent to the expandable habitation unit, the sleepingberth having a sleeping surface located on top of the ceiling, the frontroof portion being moveably connected to the cabin above the windshieldand the doors to permit movement of the roof between the open and thedefault closed configuration.
 16. The recreational vehicle, according toclaim 15, in which the front roof portion is sealingly connected to thecabin.
 17. The recreational vehicle, according to claim 16, in which anexpandable connector is sealingly connected to the cabin.
 18. Therecreational vehicle, according to claim 17, in which the expandableconnector is an accordion-like connector.
 19. The recreational vehicle,according to claim 15, in which in the open configuration theaccordion-like connector is disposed generally orthogonal to thesleeping surface.